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Hobbies and interests
Community Service And Volunteering
Color Guard
Reading
Adult Fiction
Academic
Biography
Classics
Education
I read books multiple times per month
Kaitlyn Pugh
1,075
Bold Points1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/1630250585226.webp)
Kaitlyn Pugh
1,075
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
I am a high school math teacher committed to working with students to ensure they learn a lot about who they are and a little about math. I strive to support and foster an inclusive classroom and spend lengthy hours researching mathematicians from all backgrounds and cultures. My classroom is a regular hub for students of all social circles and backgrounds to come together and hang out. Someday, I hope to serve as a district administrator, whether that's as a superintendent or otherwise. I believe education should have everything to do with learning and exploring the world around you - that the environmental circumstances you may face should not be a deciding factor on what opportunities are available to you.
Education
Northcentral University
Master's degree programMajors:
- Psychology, Other
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Mathematics
Mccutcheon High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Education
Dream career goals:
District Administrator
High School Math Teacher
Urbana School District2021 – Present3 yearsSales Associate
The Home Depot2019 – 20201 year
Sports
Dancing
Intramural2019 – Present5 years
Research
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
University of Illinois Child Development Lab — Research Assistant2019 – 2020Social Sciences, Other
University of Illinois Ethnographic Research Lab — Lab Manager2017 – 2019
Arts
The Marching Illini
Performance Art2016 – 2019
Public services
Volunteering
Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership — Director of Senior Staff2020 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Politics
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Markforged Distinguished Teachers in STEM Scholarship
Throughout my high school education, I was vastly interested in the engineering and technology courses that my school had to offer. I excelled in the problem-solving environment and enjoyed the challenge of working with a team to create something new. But I realized that I didn't love or succeed in the real world context of these jobs. I knew I loved math - and still do - so I jumped on becoming a mathematician. But I wasn't great at that either. So, I looked at becoming a math teacher and suddenly I had found my home. I realized that math is so much more than adding and multiplying and dealing with variables. Those problem-solving tasks and critical thinking skills I had spent years establishing were quickly coming to the surface. I noticed that I got the same satisfaction from solving a difficult equation as I did from completing my Rube Goldberg machine. Plus, I got to fall in love with watching students have those 'a-ha!' moments when they finally understand whatever mathematical concept I've thrown at them.
Being a teacher has many challenges. Most of those notably being a lack of pay compared to the work produced and the use of personal funds for classroom and student needs. This career requires me to show up every day at 100% operating capacity. This award would serve to take away some of the personal financial stress that I bring into the classroom. It allows me to be there, at 100%, each day for my kids. Working in a low-income school district, I have students who are more concerned about where their next meal comes from than they are about math. When I can show up and help them get some of those needs met, it allows them to focus on school. I have seen many students come through as very bright, STEM interested, and motivated to continue into a career in STEM. But, their environmental circumstances quickly snuff out those dreams because they cannot afford to be focused on these things.
I want to be able to pour my heart and mind and finances into helping disadvantaged students achieve their dreams. I want to love and support these kids as my own. I want to see their lights continue to shine when they realize they love math or science. This award helps to take my gripes out of that equation. Spending each day in the mathematics classroom has taught me that these kids will not remember how to find the least common multiple, but they will remember that someone showed up for them, had their back, and believed in them.